Perspectives towards, and experiences of clean sport in international Cerebral Palsy Football: A cross-cultural qualitative exploration of players and athlete support personnel

Cerebral palsy (CP) football presents unique challenges to clean sport, given its classification system, impairment diversity, and international competitive structure. To understand how athletes and Athlete Support Personnel (ASP) navigate these challenges, our study explored the role of ASP in shaping clean sport culture in international CP football. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 participants (11 athletes, 15 ASPs) from 13 countries, exploring perspectives on clean sport behaviours and ASP responsibility. Reflexive Thematic analysis developed three key themes: Denial and Diffusion: Shared Responsibility or Shifted Blame? Unmasking the game: integrity issues in CP football and Recommendations for a Clean Sport Culture in CP football. Participants shared inconsistencies regarding ASP perspectives on the responsibility for promoting clean sport, with some viewing it as the sole responsibility of athletes and/or medical staff. Integrity challenges, including classification fairness, fair play, and power dynamics between coaches and athletes, were highlighted as significant concerns. Both athletes and ASPs emphasised a lack of clarity regarding their roles in promoting clean sport behaviours, highlighting the need for improved education. For example, making educational resources more accessible and embedded within CP football's international framework could clarify responsibilities, empower support personnel, and strengthen the sport's clean sport culture.